wouldn't be here if this country wasn't welcoming to my grandparents who fled religious persecution in russia. so there is that and the compassion for the families that are here who frankly, many of whom, have become part of the fabric of this country. >> reporter: but when it comes to controversial policy changes, he won't go there. >> senator rubio supports a path to citizenship, as long as border security is addressed first. do you support that? >> again, i want to see where the talks in the house and the senate lead. >> reporter: in fact cantor's new push turns out to be long on compassionate rhetoric and support on new, specific policy proposals, although he did open the door a bit to strengthening background checks on guns. >> i am for making sure that we increase the quality of information in the database that is in existence already. >> reporter: big picture, cantor is trying to rebrand by reworking gop rhetoric. that has language or the message of your party over the past couple of years in all candor turned some voters off? >> i'm a father, i'm a husband, i have to deal with struggl